Dermatologist, Dr. Akriti Gupta shares the skincare blunders we should avoid.

The skin is one of the first body organs to experience the effects of the sun, wind, cold, heat, humidity, and pollution, which can result in issues including suntan, sunburn, dark patches, blackheads, pimples, acne, rash, and dryness of the skin. In fact, common skincare errors might make these issues worse. We all have different skincare regimens that not only irritate our skin but also put it at risk for numerous issues.

These are some typical skin care errors that we should all steer clear of:

Balances

If you have oily skin, stay away from harsh astringent lotions. This may upset regular balances. An astringent is helpful in the summer, especially for oily skin because it lessens shine and keeps pores from becoming clogged. If it is too harsh, combine rose water and astringent lotion in an equal ratio and store in the refrigerator in an airtight bottle.

Makeup

Not removing your makeup completely - If we do not remove our makeup completely, it might clog our pores. Make careful to wash off your makeup every night and double-cleanse to remove any leftovers. Use only brushes and sponges that haven't been used on anyone else.

Oily skin

If the skin is oily, pollutants and grime stick to it. Thus, avoid putting your hands near the face. Actually, the hands spread bacteria and germs to facial skin, causing skin disorders to flare up. If there is acne, touching the face may make it worse.

Taking long showers 

The first step in any skincare programme is cleansing, and if we get this step incorrect, nothing else really matters. Long showers, especially hot ones, have the effect of removing the skin's natural oils. This dry skin therefore develops fine lines and wrinkles more easily.

Pores

Don't use nourishing cream on skin that is normal to oily. Smothering the skin in cream and putting it on all night does not help, not even for normal to dry skin. Cream should not clog the pores to allow the skin to "breathe." It's never a good idea to sleep with cream on your eyes, summer or winter. Puffy eyes can result from this. After 15 minutes, carefully remove the lotion from the area around your eyes using wet cotton wool.

Sunscreen

Neglecting to use sunscreen - Never neglect to use sunscreen, regardless of your skin type or the season. One of the most crucial elements in any skincare regimen is this one. In addition to shielding your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, it also acts as a barrier against other environmental dangers like pollution.

Dr Akriti Gupta, Jivisha Clinic

Washing with soap

In an effort to minimise the oily appearance, the majority of persons with oily skin frequently wash their faces with soap and water. Indeed, this is a mistake. Too much washing with soap and water might upset the skin's normal acid-alkaline (pH) balance because the soap may be overly alkaline in nature. As a result, the skin becomes prone to zits and acne.

Moisturise

You're mistaken if you believe that oily skin produces enough oils to moisturise the skin. Natural oils are produced by the sebaceous glands to counteract the dryness. Hence, even if you have oily skin, you should constantly use sunscreen and moisturiser. Use a water-based moisturiser rather of a cream-based one.

Airflow

Our skin need airflow at all times. The skin will only become confused if you use too many serums, creams, lotions, and masks. Use only the smallest amount of products and substances to ensure optimum effects. Give your products time to work before you switch them and avoid over-exfoliating. Apply your products starting with the lightest consistency and working your way up.